The merger will require national security clearance from the
United States for certain contracts.

Some thought has already gone into this, the companies suggested
that they could legally separate some sensitive defense
contracts.

US defense issues are always politically fraught, and given that
this new company would be a powerful competitor for Boeing and other contractors, there could be
pressure against the deal.

Government involvement

EADS was originally created from four European companies from
several different countries. A combination of major French and
German shareholders, including the French government,
own 44.7 percent of the company. Spain
also owns 5.45 percent stake.